Google Glass LASIK Warning

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Google Glass (styled as “Google GLΛSS”) is a wearable computer with a head-mounted display (HMD) that is being developed by Google in the Project Glass research and development project, with the mission of producing a mass-market ubiquitous computer. Google Glass displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format, that can interact with the Internet via natural language voice commands. While the frames do not currently have lenses fitted to them, Google is considering partnering with sunglass retailers such as Ray-Ban or Warby Parker, and may also open retail stores to allow customers to try on the device. The Explorer Edition cannot be used by people who wear prescription glasses, but Google has confirmed that Glass will eventually work with frames and lenses that match the wearer’s prescription; the glasses will be modular and therefore possibly attachable to normal prescription glasses.

“The company goes on to advise people who have had Lasik eye surgery to avoid wearing the device. If you’re really eager to try, then Google recommends that you go to your doctor for final approval, but given the fact that this is such early adoption, they probably won’t know anything about it yet.”

“If you’ve had Lasik surgery, ask your doctor about risks of eye impact damage before using Glass.” Google Glass arrives at a time when two polar opposite trends are playing out against each other in pop culture: part time glasses for those who don’t need them, in the form of a fashion accessory, are in. Full time glasses for those who do need them, thanks to LASIK, are out. The paradoxical nature of those two trends leaves Google launching a glasses-based wearable computing product at a time when the public doesn’t know what it thinks of glasses in general, and it’s not clear which trend will prevail when it comes to popular sentiment toward the new technology.

Essentially the issue for Google Glass is the LASIK Flap. The Flap never heals and can easily lifted by even slight trauma to the eye, such as a fingernail. The google glass visual overlay could easily strike the cornea. In a normal un-operated eye, this would not be a problem, but for people who have had LASIK, the damage could be catastrophic.